World Soccer:
Rio Ferdinand is in danger of being dropped for Manchester United's midweek Champions League trip to Lille following his personal horror show here at the Riverside Stadium.
Ferdinand could be one of several changes Sir Alex Ferguson makes to his side following a 4-1 defeat against Middlesbrough, one of United's worst in the Premier League.
The England international had a nightmare as Middlesbrough ran riot to put their recent poor form behind them in spectacular fashion.
He almost gifted Gaizka Mendieta a goal with some poor control on 16 minutes, was outfoxed by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink for Boro's second and was then beaten by Yakubu for the home side's fourth.
Former West Ham and Leeds centre-back Ferdinand, who has already lost his place in Sven-Goran Eriksson's England side, was eventually hauled off close to the end of this one-sided encounter and faces a battle to keep his place in Ferguson's starting line-up for Wednesday's clash in France.
Defeat left United an all but unbridgeable 13 points behind leaders and reigning champions Chelsea, their next Premiership opponents.
"It was a shocking performance," said Ferguson.
"It was a bad start and we never recovered. I'm also unimpressed by the fact we lost three terrible goals.
"At the start of a match you want to get tight in midfield but the lad (Mendieta) had a free shot from 25 yards."